The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has been associated with less severe acute disease, however, concerns remain as to whether long-term complaints persist to a similar extent as for earlier variants. Studying 1 323 145 persons aged 18-70 years living in Norway with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection in a prospective cohort study, we found that individuals infected with Omicron had a similar risk of post-covid complaints (fatigue, cough, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and anxiety/depression) as individuals infected with Delta (B.1.617.2), from 14 to up to 126 days after testing positive, both in the acute (14 to 29 days), sub-acute (30 to 89 days) and chronic post-covid (≥90 days) phases. However, at ≥90 days after testing positive, individuals infected with Omicron had a lower risk of having any complaint (43 (95%CI = 14 to 72) fewer per 10,000), as well as a lower risk of musculoskeletal pain (23 (95%CI = 2-43) fewer per 10,000) than individuals infected with Delta. Our findings suggest that the acute and sub-acute burden of post-covid complaints on health services is similar for Omicron and Delta. The chronic burden may be lower for Omicron vs Delta when considering musculoskeletal pain, but not when considering other typical post-covid complaints.

ObjectivesThis study provides a detailed analysis of the global and regional burden of cancer due to occupational carcinogens from the Global Burden of Disease 2016 study.MethodsThe burden of cancer due to 14 International Agency for Research on Cancer Group 1 occupational carcinogens was estimated using the population attributable fraction, based on past population exposure prevalence and relative risks from the literature. The results were used to calculate attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).ResultsThere were an estimated 349 000 (95% Uncertainty Interval 269 000 to 427 000) deaths and 7.2 (5.8 to 8.6) million DALYs in 2016 due to exposure to the included occupational carcinogens—3.9% (3.2% to 4.6%) of all cancer deaths and 3.4% (2.7% to 4.0%) of all cancer DALYs; 79% of deaths were of males and 88% were of people aged 55 –79 years. Lung cancer accounted for 86% of the deaths, mesothelioma for 7.9% and laryngeal cancer for 2.1%. Asbestos was responsible for the largest number of deaths due to occupational carcinogens (63%); other important risk factors were secondhand smoke (14%), silica (14%) and diesel engine exhaust (5%). The highest mortality rates were in high-income regions, largely due to asbestos-related cancers, whereas in other regions cancer deaths from secondhand smoke, silica and diesel engine exhaust were more prominent. From 1990 to 2016, there was a decrease in the rate for deaths (−10%) and DALYs (−15%) due to exposure to occupational carcinogens.ConclusionsWork-related carcinogens are responsible for considerable disease burden worldwide. The results provide guidance for prevention and control initiatives.

Objective: To examine whether persons infected with the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant have an altered risk of post-covid complaints and healthcare use when compared to 1) persons testing negative, and 2) persons with delta. Design: Prospective cohort study with 126 days follow-up and a time-to-event approach. Setting: A registry-based study including Norwegian residents. Participants: All persons aged 18-70 years living in Norway and who had a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 (N=105 196, mean (SD) age 42 (14), 50% women)) or positive test with confirmed omicron variant (N=13 028, mean (SD) age 37 (13), 50% women) or delta variant (N=23 368, mean (SD) age 40 (12), 50% women) in December 2021. Individuals with hospital contacts or non-screened PCR test were excluded. Main outcome measures: Symptoms/complaints and diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cough, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety/depression and brain fog at the general practitioner or emergency ward as recorded in national registries and as observed for the whole follow-up period as well as in periods 14-30 days, 30-90 days and 90 days or more. Results: Persons with omicron or delta had similarly increased risk of post-covid fatigue compared to persons testing negative, with a hazard ratio (HR)=1.21 (CI:1.10-1.33) for omicron and HR=1.26 (CI: 1.17-1.35) for delta, for up to 126 days after the test date. They also had an increased risk of shortness of breath (HR=1.43, CI, 1.14-1.80 and HR=1.70, CI, 1.46-1.98 for omicron and delta, respectively, relative to negative). Omicron was related with a similar, and no increased risk of musculoskeletal pain, cough, heart palpitations, anxiety/depression when compared to delta and when compared to test negative. The risk of complaints was similar for omicron and delta and decreased over time for the post-covid periods 14-30 days, 30-90 days and 90 days or more. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 omicron and delta infection are associated with similarly increased risks of post-covid complaints when compared to non-infected. The omicron variant will likely lead to a temporarily increased burden on healthcare services.